With a confusing title, it matches the show, as most avant-garde anime tends not to be straightforward.

The anime follows three siblings.

The show is split into 2-4 episode arcs where the protagonist tackles different supernatural challenges.

A huge mecha against the sun in Neon Genesis Evangelion

Image via Netflix

The anime is easily one of the best avant-garde shows when paired with its animation.

While movies aren’t eligible for this list, the renowned director made an anime series:Paranoia Agent.

This show follows the many victims of Shounen Bat, an urban legend that clubs down unsuspecting people.

Penguin holding an umbrella in Mawaru Penguindrum

Image via Brain’s Base

While there are many movies and shows that portray this, none do it as effectively asSerial Experiments Lain.

However, its success lies in its unorthodox storytelling.

However, he discovered that what he needed the entire time was right in front of his face.

Mawaru Penguindrum

But theMonogatariSeries proves this genre can be long-lasting.

With many seasons, the anime follows Koyomi Araragi and the countless troubled souls of his town.

After a vampire gives him vampiric powers, he helps the residents with their own supernatural issues.

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The showuses unorthodox methods and bizarre scale to tell a relatable coming-of-age story.

The anime follows Shinji, a weak-willed boy who can’t come to terms with his importance.

It is an experimental and innovative masterpiece that influenced and defined multiple genres.

People walking down a street in Kaiba anime

Image via Madhouse

It is anessential anime for all fansto watch at least once.

Keep Reading:The 10 Best Morally Gray Anime Characters, Ranked

Kaiba

Kusuriuri and many spiral faced women in Mononoke Karakasa

Image via EOTA

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Unconscious people surrounding a large pink dog in Paranoia Agent

Image via Adult Swim

Paranoia Agent (2004)

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Lain Iwakura staring directly at something off screen in Serial Experiments Lain.

Image via Triangle Staff

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A child, a person, and a green bear wearing labcoats in Welcome to Irabu’s Office

Image via Toei Animation

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Watashi and Akashi sitting on bridge behind yellow fall colors in The Tatami Galaxy

Image via Madhouse

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Multiple severed heads of Araragi and Shinobu as they fight in Kizumonogatari 3

Image via Shaft

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Asuka (Yûko Miyamura) and Shinji (Megumi Ogata) in ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion’ on Netflix

Image via TVTJP

Paranoia Agent